Encryption detection

ABSTRACT

Detecting data corruption in a storage system includes examining portions of the data for encryption anomalies and providing an indication in response to detecting an encryption anomaly. The encryption anomalies may be based on entropy of the data. The entropy of the data may vary based on an inherent nature of the data. One of the portions of data may be deemed to be encrypted in response to an entropy value exceeding a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold may be based on prior data accesses. The predetermined threshold may be determined using machine learning. Portions of the data may be examined for encryption anomalies during data accesses. Data accesses may be suspended in response to detecting an encryption anomaly. Encryption anomalies may include data that is flagged to be encrypted not being detected as being encrypted and/or data that is flagged to not be encrypted being detected as being encrypted.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the field of computer systems and storage systems therefor and, more particularly, to the field of detecting encryption states for storage systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Host processor systems may store and retrieve data using a storage system containing a plurality of host interface units (I/O modules), disk drives, and disk interface units (disk adapters). The host systems access the storage systems through a plurality of channels provided therewith. Host systems provide data and access control information through the channels to the storage system and the storage system provides data to the host systems also through the channels. The host systems do not address the disk drives of the storage system directly, but rather, access what appears to the host systems as a plurality of logical disk units. The logical disk units may or may not correspond to any one of the actual disk drives. Allowing multiple host systems to access the single storage system allows the host systems to share data stored therein.

In some cases, it is desirable to provide continuous or near continuous backup of past data at different points of time so that it is possible to roll back the data to an earlier state. This is useful in instances where data corruption is detected. In such a case, the data is rolled back to a state that existed at a time just prior to the corruption occurring. A system for doing this is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,665,307 to LeCrone, et al. However, the ability to address data corruption does not necessarily provide a mechanism for detecting data corruption. Note that, if data corruption is undetected for a relatively long period of time, it may not be possible to address the data corruption if an uncorrupted version of the data no longer exists.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a mechanism that assists in detection of data corruption in a timely manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the system described herein, detecting data corruption in a storage system includes examining portions of the data for encryption anomalies and providing an indication in response to detecting an encryption anomaly. The encryption anomalies may be based on entropy of the data. The entropy of the data may vary based on an inherent nature of the data. One of the portions of data may be deemed to be encrypted in response to an entropy value exceeding a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold may be based on prior data accesses. The predetermined threshold may be determined using machine learning. Portions of the data may be examined for encryption anomalies during data accesses. Data accesses may be suspended in response to detecting an encryption anomaly. Encryption anomalies may include data that is flagged to be encrypted not being detected as being encrypted and/or data that is flagged to not be encrypted being detected as being encrypted. The encryption anomalies may be based on a digital signature of the data.

According further to the system described herein, a non-transitory computer readable medium contains software that detects data corruption in a storage system. The software includes executable code that examines portions of the data for encryption anomalies and executable code that provides an indication in response to detecting an encryption anomaly. The encryption anomalies may be based on entropy of the data. The entropy of the data may vary based on an inherent nature of the data. One of the portions of data may be deemed to be encrypted in response to an entropy value exceeding a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold may be based on prior data accesses. The predetermined threshold may be determined using machine learning. Portions of the data may be examined for encryption anomalies during data accesses. Data accesses may be suspended in response to detecting an encryption anomaly. Encryption anomalies may include data that is flagged to be encrypted not being detected as being encrypted and/or data that is flagged to not be encrypted being detected as being encrypted. The encryption anomalies may be based on a digital signature of the data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the system are described with reference to the several figures of the drawings, noted as follows.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a relationship between a host and a storage system that may be used in connection with an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a storage system where each of a plurality of directors are coupled to the memory according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing a storage area network (SAN) providing a SAN fabric coupling a plurality of host devices to a plurality of storage systems that may be used in connection with an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a standard logical device, a point-in-time image device, and a journal (or log) device that may be used in connection with an embodiment of the system described herein

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the use of virtual devices including a standard logical device, a plurality of point-in-time image devices and a journal device that may be used in connection with an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a system including a logical device, a point-in-time image device, a journal device, and a full copy device that may be used in connection with an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a continuous protection device that facilitates continuous or near continuous backup of data and storage configuration metadata using snapshots, other appropriate point-in-time images, according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIGS. 8-11 are schematic illustrations showing representations of devices in connection with a data protection system using a log device according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIGS. 12-14 show scenario representations according to an embodiment of the system described herein for reclamation processing of a subject device to reclaim log capacity.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show scenario representations according to an embodiment of the system described herein for reclamation of a subject device when multiple tracks are involved to reclaim log capacity.

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation according to the embodiment of the system described herein shown in FIG. 15 in which versions have been terminated, but all unique first write pre-write images in each version interval are preserved.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show scenario representations according to an embodiment of the system described herein for reclamation of a subject device when multiple volumes are involved to reclaim log capacity.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a system implementing iCDP (incremental continuous data protection) according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram that illustrates processing performed by a storage system in connection with detecting and handling possible data corruption according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 22 is a flow diagram that illustrates processing performed by a storage system in connection with collecting initial values and setting thresholds according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram that illustrates processing performed in connection with detecting if there has been unusual access for a portion of data according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram that illustrates steps performed in connection with a checking and resetting a flag that is set each time a particular data unit is accessed according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 25 is a flow diagram that illustrates processing performed in connection with determining a number of accesses per unit time using a counter according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 26 is a flow diagram that illustrates processing performed in connection with detecting manipulation of data according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 27 is a flow diagram that illustrates detecting encryption anomalies according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 28 is a flow diagram that illustrates handling data accesses in connection with detecting encryption anomalies according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

The system described herein provides a mechanism for detecting data corruption based on encryption anomalies. Data that is detected as being encrypted but is flagged to not be encrypted or vice versa is deemed corrupted. In some cases, entropy of the data may be used to detect whether data is encrypted. It is also possible to use/examine a digital signature of the data that was previously provided by a trusted party. In some instances, data is examined as the data is being accessed and, if the data is detected as being corrupted, accesses of the data are suspended.

FIG. 1 is a diagram 20 showing a relationship between a host 22 and a storage system 24 that may be used in connection with an embodiment of the system described herein. In an embodiment, the storage system 24 may be a PowerMax, Symmetrix, or VMAX storage system produced by Dell EMC of Hopkinton, Mass.; however, the system described herein may operate with other appropriate types of storage systems. Also illustrated is another (remote) storage system 26 that may be similar to, or different from, the storage system 24 and may, in various embodiments, be coupled to the storage system 24, using, for example, a network. The host 22 reads and writes data from and to the storage system 24 via an HA 28 (host adapter), which facilitates an interface between the host 22 and the storage system 24. Although the diagram 20 shows the host 22 and the HA 28, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that multiple host adaptors (possibly of different configurations) may be used and that one or more HAs may have one or more hosts coupled thereto.

In an embodiment of the system described herein, in various operations and scenarios, data from the storage system 24 may be copied to the remote storage system 26 via a link 29. For example, transferring data may be part of a data mirroring or replication process that causes data on the remote storage system 26 to be identical to the data on the storage system 24. Although only the one link 29 is shown, it is possible to have additional links between the storage systems 24, 26 and to have links between one or both of the storage systems 24, 26 and other storage systems (not shown). The storage system 24 may include a first plurality of remote adapter units (RA's) 30 a, 30 b, 30 c. The RA's 30 a-30 c may be coupled to the link 29 and be similar to the HA 28, but are used to transfer data between the storage systems 24, 26.

The storage system 24 may include one or more physical storage units (including disks, solid state storage devices, etc.), each containing a different portion of data stored on the storage system 24. FIG. 1 shows the storage system 24 having a plurality of physical storage units 33 a-33 c. The storage system 24 (and/or remote storage system 26) may be provided as a stand-alone device coupled to the host 22 as shown in FIG. 1 or, alternatively, the storage system 24 (and/or remote storage system 26) may be part of a storage area network (SAN) that includes a plurality of other storage systems as well as routers, network connections, etc. (not shown in FIG. 1). The storage systems may be coupled to a SAN fabric and/or be part of a SAN fabric. The system described herein may be implemented using software, hardware, and/or a combination of software and hardware where software may be stored in a computer readable medium and executed by one or more processors.

Each of the physical storage units 33 a-33 c may be coupled to a corresponding disk adapter unit (DA) 35 a-35 c that provides data to a corresponding one of the physical storage units 33 a-33 c and receives data from a corresponding one of the physical storage units 33 a-33 c. An internal data path exists between the DA's 35 a-35 c, the HA 28 and the RA's 30 a-30 c of the storage system 24. Note that, in other embodiments, it is possible for more than one physical storage unit to be serviced by a DA and that it is possible for more than one DA to service a physical storage unit. The storage system 24 may also include a global memory 37 that may be used to facilitate data transferred between the DA's 35 a-35 c, the HA 28 and the RA's 30 a-30 c as well as facilitate other operations. The memory 37 may contain task indicators that indicate tasks to be performed by one or more of the DA's 35 a-35 c, the HA 28 and/or the RA's 30 a-30 c, and may contain a cache for data fetched from one or more of the physical storage units 33 a-33 c.

The storage space in the storage system 24 that corresponds to the physical storage units 33 a-33 c may be subdivided into a plurality of volumes or logical devices. The logical devices may or may not correspond to the storage space of the physical storage units 33 a-33 c. Thus, for example, the physical storage unit 33 a may contain a plurality of logical devices or, alternatively, a single logical device could span both of the physical storage units 33 a, 33 b. Similarly, the storage space for the remote storage system 26 may be subdivided into a plurality of volumes or logical devices, where each of the logical devices may or may not correspond to one or more physical storage units of the remote storage system 26.

In some embodiments, an other host 22′ may be provided. The other host 22′ is coupled to the remote storage system 26 and may be used for disaster recovery so that, upon failure at a site containing the host 22 and the storage system 24, operation may resume at a remote site containing the remote storage system 26 and the other host 22′. In some cases, the host 22 may be directly coupled to the remote storage system 26, thus protecting from failure of the storage system 24 without necessarily protecting from failure of the host 22.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram 40 illustrating an embodiment of the storage system 24 where each of a plurality of directors 42 a-42 n are coupled to the memory 37. Each of the directors 42 a-42 n represents at least one of the HA 28, RAs 30 a-30 c, or DAs 35 a-35 c. The diagram 40 also shows an optional communication module (CM) 44 that provides an alternative communication path between the directors 42 a-42 n. Each of the directors 42 a-42 n may be coupled to the CM 44 so that any one of the directors 42 a-42 n may send a message and/or data to any other one of the directors 42 a-42 n without needing to go through the memory 37. The CM 44 may be implemented using conventional MUX/router technology where one of the directors 42 a-42 n that is sending data provides an appropriate address to cause a message and/or data to be received by an intended one of the directors 42 a-42 n that is receiving the data. Some or all of the functionality of the CM 44 may be implemented using one or more of the directors 42 a-42 n so that, for example, the directors 42 a-42 n may be interconnected directly with the interconnection functionality being provided on each of the directors 42 a-42 n. In addition, one or more of the directors 42 a-42 n may be able to broadcast a message to all or at least some plurality of the other directors 42 a-42 n at the same time.

In some embodiments, one or more of the directors 42 a-42 n may have multiple processor systems thereon and thus may be able to perform functions for multiple discrete directors. In some embodiments, at least one of the directors 42 a-42 n having multiple processor systems thereon may simultaneously perform the functions of at least two different types of directors (e.g., an HA and a DA). Furthermore, in some embodiments, at least one of the directors 42 a-42 n having multiple processor systems thereon may simultaneously perform the functions of at least one type of director and perform other processing with the other processing system. In addition, all or at least part of the global memory 37 may be provided on one or more of the directors 42 a-42 n and shared with other ones of the directors 42 a-42 n. In an embodiment, the features discussed in connection with the storage system 24 may be provided as one or more director boards having CPUs, memory (e.g., DRAM, etc.) and interfaces with Input/Output (I/O) modules.

Note that, although specific storage system configurations are disclosed in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be understood that the system described herein may be implemented on any appropriate platform. Thus, the system described herein may be implemented using a platform like that described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 or may be implemented using a platform that is somewhat or even completely different from any particular platform described herein.

A storage area network (SAN) may be used to couple one or more host devices with one or more storage systems in a manner that allows reconfiguring connections without having to physically disconnect and reconnect cables from and to ports of the devices. A storage area network may be implemented using one or more switches to which the storage systems and the host devices are coupled. The switches may be programmed to allow connections between specific ports of devices coupled to the switches. A port that can initiate a data-path connection may be called an “initiator” port while the other port may be deemed a “target” port.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration 70 showing a storage area network (SAN) 60 providing a SAN fabric coupling a plurality of host devices (H₁-H_(N)) 22 a-c to a plurality of storage systems (SD₁-SD_(N)) 24 a-c that may be used in connection with an embodiment of the system described herein. Each of the devices 22 a-c, 24 a-c may have a corresponding port that is physically coupled to switches of the SAN fabric used to implement the storage area network 60. The switches may be separately programmed by one of the devices 22 a-c, 24 a-c or by a different device (not shown). Programming the switches may include setting up specific zones that describe allowable data-path connections (which ports may form a data-path connection) and possible allowable initiator ports of those configurations. For example, there may be a zone for connecting the port of the host 22 a with the port of the storage system 24 a. Upon becoming activated (e.g., powering up), the host 22 a and the storage system 24 a may send appropriate signals to the switch(es) of the storage area network 60, and each other, which then allows the host 22 a to initiate a data-path connection between the port of the host 22 a and the port of the storage system 24 a. Zones may be defined in terms of a unique identifier associated with each of the ports, such as such as a world-wide port name (WWPN).

In various embodiments, the system described herein may be used in connection with performance data collection for data migration and/or data mirroring techniques using a SAN. Data transfer among storage systems, including transfers for data migration and/or mirroring functions, may involve various data synchronization processing and techniques to provide reliable protection copies of data among a source site and a destination site. In synchronous transfers, data may be transmitted to a remote site and an acknowledgment of a successful write is transmitted synchronously with the completion thereof. In asynchronous transfers, a data transfer process may be initiated and a data write may be acknowledged before the data is actually transferred to directors at the remote site. Asynchronous transfers may occur in connection with sites located geographically distant from each other. Asynchronous distances may be distances in which asynchronous transfers are used because synchronous transfers would take more time than is preferable or desired. Examples of data migration and mirroring products includes Symmetrix Remote Data Facility (SRDF) products from EMC Corporation.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram 80 showing a standard logical device 82, a point-in-time image device 84, such as a snapshot image device and/or other appropriate point-in-time image device, and a journal (or log) device 86 that may be used in connection with an embodiment of the system described herein. The standard logical device 82 may be implemented using any appropriate storage logical device mechanism, such as logical storage devices used on a Symmetrix and/or VPLEX product provided by EMC Corporation, and used to access corresponding physical storage disks, like disks 36 a-c (see FIG. 1). Similarly, the point-in-time image device 84 may be any logical or virtual device that can provide point-in-time image (or version) functionality for the logical device 82. As discussed herein, the point-in-time image device 84 may represent a point-in-time image of all or a portion of the standard logical device 82. A host coupled to a storage system that accesses the point-in-time image device 84 may access the point-in-time image device 84 in the same way that the host would access the standard logical device 82. However, the point-in-time image device 84 does not contain any track data from the standard logical device 82. Instead, the point-in-time image device 84 includes a plurality of table entries that point to tracks on either the standard logical device 82 or the journal device 86.

When the point-in-time image device 84 is established (e.g., when a point-in-time image is made of the standard logical device 82), the point-in-time image device 84 is created and provided with appropriate table entries that, at the time of establishment, point to tracks of the standard logical device 82. A host accessing the point-in-time image device 84 to read a track would read the appropriate track from the standard logical device 82 based on the table entry of the point-in-time image device 84 pointing to the track of the standard logical device 82.

After the point-in-time image device 84 has been established, it is possible for a host to write data to the standard logical device 82. In that case, the previous data that was stored on the standard logical device 82 may be copied to the journal device 86 and the table entries of the point-in-time image device 84 that previously pointed to tracks of the standard logical device 82 would be modified to point to the new tracks of the journal device 86 to which the data had been copied. Thus, a host accessing the point-in-time image device 84 may read either tracks from the standard logical device 82 that have not changed since the point-in-time image device 84 was established or, alternatively, may read corresponding tracks from the journal device 86 that contain data copied from the standard logical device 82 after the point-in-time image device 84 was established. Adjusting data and pointers in connection with reads and writes to and from the standard logical device 82 and journal device 84 is discussed in more detail elsewhere herein.

In an embodiment described herein, hosts may not have direct access to the journal device 86. That is, the journal device 86 would be used exclusively in connection with the point-in-time image device 84 (and possibly other point-in-time image devices as described in more detail elsewhere herein). In addition, for an embodiment described herein, the standard logical device 82, the point-in-time image device 84, and the journal device 86 may be provided on the single storage system 24. However, it is also possible to have portions of one or more of the standard logical device 82, the point-in-time image device 84, and/or the journal device 86 provided on separate storage systems that are appropriately interconnected.

It is noted that the system described herein may be used with data structures and copy mechanisms other than tables and/or pointers to tracks discussed, for example, in connection with snapshots and/or other point-in-time images. For example, the system described herein may also operate in connection with use of clones and/or deep copy backups automatically synchronized between data and metadata. Accordingly, the system described herein may be applied to any appropriate point-in-time image processing systems and techniques, and it should be understood that the discussions herein with respect to the creation and use of “snapshots,” and the devices thereof, may be equally applied to the use of any appropriate point-in-time image used for point-in-time image processes in connection with protection of data and configuration metadata that enable the rolling back/forward of a storage system using the point-in-time images of the data and configuration metadata according to the system described herein.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram 90 showing another example of the use of virtual devices including a standard logical device 92, a plurality of point-in-time images 94-97 that may be generated by one or more point-in-time devices and a journal device 98 that may be used in connection with an embodiment of the system described herein. In the illustrated example, a point-in-time image 94 represents a point-in-time version of the standard logical device 92 taken at time A. Similarly, a point-in-time image of point-in-time image 95 represents a point-in-time version of the standard logical device 92 taken at time B, a point-in-time image 96 represents a point-in-time version of the standard logical device 92 taken at time C, and a point-in-time image 97 represents a point-in-time version of the standard logical device 92 taken at time D. Note that all of the point-in-time image 94-97 may share use of the journal device 98. In addition, it is possible for table entries of more than one of the point-in-time images 94-97, or, a subset of the table entries of the point-in-time image 94-97, to point to the same tracks of the journal device 98. For example, the point-in-time image 95 and the point-in-time image 96 are shown in connection with table entries that point to the same tracks of the journal device 98.

In an embodiment discussed herein, the journal device 98, and/or other journal devices discussed herein, may be provided by a pool of journal devices that are managed by the storage system 24 and/or other controller coupled to the SAN. In that case, as a point-in-time image device requires additional tracks of a journal device, the point-in-time image device would cause more journal device storage to be created (in the form of more tracks for an existing journal device or a new journal device) using the journal device pool mechanism. Pooling storage system resources in this manner is known in the art. Other techniques that do not use pooling may be used to provide journal device storage.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram 100 that illustrates a system including a logical device 102, a point-in-time image device 104, a journal device 106, and a full copy device 108 that may be used in connection with an embodiment of the system described herein. As noted elsewhere herein, the logical device 102 may be implemented using any appropriate storage logical device mechanism. Similarly, the point-in-time image device 104 may be any logical point-in-time image device that can provide snapshot functionality, and/or other appropriate point-in-time image functionality, for the logical device 102. The journal device 106 provides storage for sections of data (e.g., tracks) of the logical device 102 that are overwritten after the point-in-time image device 104 has been initiated. The journal device 106 may be provided on the same physical device as the logical device 102 or may be provided on a different physical device.

In an embodiment, the system described herein may also be used in connection with full copies of data generated and stored according operation of the full copy device 108. The full copy device 108 may be a logical storage device like the logical device 102. As discussed in more detail elsewhere herein, the full copy device 108 may be configured to contain data copied from the logical device 102 and corresponding to one or more point-in-time images. As described below, the point-in-time image device 104 may create a point-in-time image and then, subsequently, data from the logical device 102, and possibly the journal device 106, may be copied and/or refreshed to the full copy device 108 in a background process that does not interfere with access to the logical device 102. Once the copy is complete, then the point-in-time image is protected from physical corruption of the data of the logical device 102, as discussed in more detail elsewhere herein. Note that, as shown in the figure, it is possible to have multiple copy devices 108′, 108″ etc. so that all of the copy devices 108, 108′, 108″ protect the point-in-time image from physical corruption. Accordingly, for the discussion herein, it should be understood that references to the copy device 108 may include, where appropriate, references to multiple copy devices. Note that, for some embodiments, the copy devices 108, 108′, 108″ may be copies provided at different times. Similarly, the system described herein may be applicable to multiple point-in-time copies provided at the same time or different times, like that shown in FIG. 5.

It is noted that the system described herein may be used in connection with use of consistency groups and with features for maintaining proper ordering of writes between storage systems. A consistency group represents a grouping of storage volumes (virtual or not) which together offer an application consistent image of the data. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 7,475,207 to Bromling et al., entitled “Maintaining Write Order Fidelity on a Multi-Writer System,” that discloses a system for maintaining write order fidelity (WOF) for totally active storage system implementations using WOF groups and including application to features such as point-in-time snapshots and continuous data protection, and to U.S. Pat. No. 7,054,883 to Meiri et al., entitled “Virtual Ordered Writes for Multiple Storage Devices,” that discloses features for ordering data writes among groups of storage systems. The above-noted references are incorporated herein by reference.

In an embodiment of the system described herein, it is further noted that content protected by point-in-time images, such as snapshots, e.g. in connection with CS/CDP, may be extended to include not only user data but further include configuration metadata, and/or other appropriate configuration information, of the storage management system. Configuration metadata of the storage management system may be information used for configuration volumes, storage devices, consistency groups and/or other appropriate storage management system elements, as further discussed elsewhere herein. A user may want to rollback a storage management system to a past point due to performance or stability issues attributed to configuration changes. The system described herein enables rollback to prior states based on storage configuration metadata in addition to rollback of user data and provides for synchronization of the data and configuration metadata in connection with a rollback, as further discussed elsewhere herein. For further discussion of systems using point-in-time image technologies involving both user data and configuration metadata, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 9,128,901 to Nickurak et al., issued on Sep. 8, 2015, entitled, “Continuous Protection of Data and Storage Management Configuration,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram 200 that illustrates a continuous protection device 202 that facilitates continuous or near continuous backup of data using snapshots, and/or other appropriate point-in-time images, and that may be used according to an embodiment of the system described herein. The continuous protection device 202 may contain pointers to a standard logical device 204 for a plurality of tracks such that, for any particular track, if the continuous protection device 202 points to a corresponding track of the standard logical device 204, then the corresponding track has not changed since creation of the continuous protection device 202. Note that any subsections, besides track, may be used to implement the system described herein. Accordingly, it should be understood in connection with the discussion that follows that although tracks are mentioned, other units of data having another size, including variable sizes, may be used. The continuous protection device 202 also contains pointers to a journal device 206 for a plurality of corresponding tracks. The journal device 206 contains data for tracks that have changed since creation of the continuous protection device 202.

The diagram 200 also shows an I/O module 208 that handles input and output processing to and from other modules, such as input and output requests made by the DA's 38 a-38 c and HA's 28 a-28 c. The I/O module 208 may be provided with information from a cycle counter 210 and/or a timer 212, among other possible information sources, that may be used to synchronize storage for a plurality of storage systems (i.e., a consistency group). The I/O module 208 may further include, and/or be coupled to, a user interface 220 that enables a user to tag data streams, among other functions as further discussed elsewhere herein. The user interface may be implemented using appropriate software and processors and may include a display and/or otherwise include operation using a display.

The system described herein allows for the ability to roll back/forward on multiple levels, including: per-volume basis, for configuration metadata and/or data; per-consistency group basis, for configuration metadata and/or data; per-system basis (all consistency groups, and system-wide configuration), for configuration metadata and/or data; and/or per-multi-system basis with the ability to control multiple systems with one user interface, for rolling management configuration and/or data. Other features and advantages of the system described herein include: elimination of manual storage configuration backups, which means reducing error-prone/inconvenient steps; elimination of manual storage configuration restores, which provides for reducing another set of error-prone/inconvenient steps; automatic write order fidelity across rollback in the presence of configuration changes; ability to control the roll back/forward points for management configuration/data independently. This allows choosing whether to roll management configuration back/forward only in those circumstances that warrant it; and/or ability to control the roll back/forward for configuration/data stream on a per volume and/or consistency-group and/or system-wide basis.

The system described herein allows for choosing the granularity of the roll back/forward of some of the system's volumes/consistency groups without requiring the whole system to roll back. Furthermore, the multi-system control aspect of the system described herein allows for restoring an organization's whole infrastructure (management configuration and data, independently) to a point in the past (or future) with the convenience of a single user interface.

According to the system described herein, techniques are provided for incremental Continuous Data Protection (iCDP) as a process to secure frequent, and space efficient, versions of consistent point-in-time images of a group of volumes using snapshot technology. In an embodiment, the group of volumes may be defined and organized as Versioned Data Group (VDGs). This system described herein may include tools and procedures to plan and operate a VDG and to use the member versions of the VDG to create and terminate target volume sets, particularly in connection with managing and/or optimizing use of log space on a journal or log device, as further discussed in detail elsewhere herein.

The system described herein provides for automation to create and manage frequent snapshots of defined groups of volumes. The incremental approach of the system described herein provides a convenient way to roll back to prior point-in-time versions to investigate data damage due to processing errors or other forms of corruption. The intervals between versions may be controlled. With sufficient resources the version increments may be controlled to be small, such as in minutes or smaller. The system beneficially provides for identifying, monitoring, and reclaiming use of log space in log devices in connection with managing recovery and roll back capabilities of the system to desired data versions for purposes of data protection. The system described herein may be implemented using any appropriate computing architecture and operating system, including, for example, using components of IBM Corporation's System z environment including use of z/OS and z/Architecture computing systems. For further discussion of the use of z/OS and z/Architecture components in simulated I/O environments, including techniques for the emulation of z/OS and z/Architecture components, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 9,170,904 to LeCrone et al, issued on Oct. 27, 2015, entitled “I/O Fault Injection Using Simulated Computing Environments,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

The system described herein further provides for that by using target volume sets created from VDG version, repair strategies may be developed and tested without requiring the isolation of production systems or recreations to diagnose problems. Repairs may be possible on the source systems or the creation of a repaired replacement. Diagnostic target sets may not necessarily require full source image capacity. Techniques for iCDP implementation may include determining the storage capacity required for the associate snapshot log pool. Advantageously, the log capacity required according to the system described herein may be significantly less than the total duplication of source volumes capacity.

A point-in-time image (or snapshot) system architecture according to an embodiment of the system described herein may be storage efficient in that only first write track pre-write images are logged. The total number of unique tracks written while a snapshot version is active determines the log pool capacity consumed. If multiple versions are created the persistence of the track pre-write image in the pool is dependent on the number of previously activated versions that share that log entry. Reduction of log capacity consumption requires that a track pre-write image is no longer shared by versions. This is achieved by the termination of all snapshot versions sharing that image.

Multiple snapshot versions of a VDG set of volumes are created at regular intervals. Differential data tracking information, such as SDDF tracking information, may be used to analyze the write frequency and density of the source members of a VDG over a representative period of versioning intervals. Based on the analysis, the versioning intervals may be controlled to optimize the storage of the versions and the use of log capacity.

Pre-write images for tracks are created in the log pool or device when the first new write to a track occurs after a new snapshot version is activated. All subsequent writes to that track until the next interval are not logged since they are not needed to recreate a target image of the snapshot version. All prior versions containing the first write track share the same logged pre-write image. According to the system described herein, using the current source volumes and logged track pre-write images a selected version can be recreated on a target volume set.

SDDF provides a local function that marks modified (written) tracks and does not require any remote partner device. The differential update for local and remote devices uses the local and remote SDDF data to determine which tracks need to move to synchronize the pair. According to the system described herein, a first write analysis, as described elsewhere herein, may use local SDDF information that marks which tracks have been modified in a given interval. At the end of a current interval the SDDF information may be collected for future analysis and then cleared from the devices of interest. The SDDF mark, collect, and clear processes may repeat for each subsequent interval. The resulting collection of interval SDDF information provides maps of first writes that may be analyzed. VDG interval addition or reduction in log track space consumption may be determined. The collected SDDF maps may also contain information about persistence of shared first write tracks between VDG intervals.

For small interval SDDF first write maps collected, various VDG characteristics may be analyzed. For example, if the collected map intervals are 2 minutes VDG intervals of 2, 4, 6, 8 etc. . . . minutes may be analyzed for log space impact. The VDG interval duration and the number VDG intervals in a rotation set allows an analysis of rollback resolution (the time between snapshots) and log space consumption and management. The determination of log space versus how granular a CDP period and how far in the past is recovery possible may be assessed, as further discussed elsewhere herein.

FIGS. 8-11 are schematic illustrations showing representations of storage devices(s) in connection with a data protection system using a log device according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 8 shows a representation 300 according to an embodiment of the data protection system described herein with a five track storage device for which each track one-five may contain source volume data D1-D5, respectively. A journal or log device 302 is shown, like that discussed elsewhere herein, that may be used in connection with data protection for purposes of roll back or other recovery processing. As discussed elsewhere herein, the log device 302 is not necessarily a single device and may include log capacity storage of a log pool comprised of one or more devices.

FIG. 9 shows a representation 300′ according to an embodiment of the data protection system described herein showing a point-in-time image or version (V1) of data D3 made. There has been no write yet performed to the source data and thus there are no log entries in the log device 302. It is noted that the point-in-time version V1 of data D3 is illustrated in connection with Track three where the source volume of data D3 is stored. However, it is noted that the version V1 (and/or any other of the point-in-time versions discussed herein) may be stored in any appropriate storage location, including any suitable one or more of the devices discussed herein, and is not necessarily stored on Track three or any other of the tracks shown in connection with the five track storage system.

FIG. 10 shows a representation 300″ according to an embodiment of the data protection system described herein showing additional point-in-time versions being made according to the system described herein. There are no writes to the devices over the intervals in which versions V2 and V3 are made, thereby versions V2 and V3 may be the same as version V1, and there are no required log entries for any versions V1-V3 in the log device 302. The figure shows that there are no writes to the device until the time of version V4 for a write (W1) to Track three (causing data D3′ on the source volume) which causes a pre-write log entry 302 a in the log device 302 to be logged according to the system described herein. The log entry 302 a at the time of version V4 is a log entry corresponding to data D3.

FIG. 11 shows a representation 300′″ according to an embodiment of the data protection system described herein showing point-in-time version creation continuing until the time of version V8 when another write (W2) to Track three (resulting in data D3″ stored on the source volume) creates a pre-write log entry 302 b in the log device 302 corresponding to the write W1 (for data D3′). The log entry 302 b at the time of version V8 is a log entry corresponding to the write W1. Versions V1, V2, and V3 may share the log entry 302 a holding D3. Versions V4, V5, V6, and V7 may share the log entry 302 b holding W1. V8 (reflecting write W2) does not need log capacity until a subsequent write occurs.

The system described herein may be used to recover log space based on desired criteria. For example, the criteria may be to recover 50% of the log space, and a query may be as to which point-in-time version could be terminated to accomplish this such that log space for corresponding log entries may be reclaimed/recovered. Control and management of queries, criteria and/or result output may be performed using control modules and user interfaces like that discussed elsewhere herein (see, e.g., FIG. 7). Log persistence is where some number of versions share the same pre-write image. This could be representative of data that is periodic and only updated infrequently. In this case, the number of point-in-time versions necessary to terminate could be large in order to reclaim log space. Log entries for more active same track writes may be shared by a smaller number of versions, thereby requiring fewer version terminations to reclaim log space and recover desired log capacity.

FIGS. 12-14 show scenario representations according to an embodiment of the system described herein for reclamation processing of a subject device to reclaim 50% of log capacity according to the scenario, discussed above, where Track three (storing data D3) is the subject of data writes. The example of reclaiming 50% log capacity as a criteria is discussed; however, it is noted the system described herein may be appropriately used in connection with reclaiming any desired amount or percentage of log capacity.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation 301 showing that terminating point-in-time versions V1, V2, and V3 would allow the log entry 302 a corresponding to data D3 to be reclaimed in the log device 302 (shown by dashed lines around log entry 302 a). In this case, versions V4 through V8 persist with the W1 log pre-write image required to reconstitute V4 through V7. V8 has no pre-write image required yet.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation 301′ showing that, alternatively and/or additionally, terminating versions V4, V5, V6, and V7 allow the log entry 302 b holding W1 to be reclaimed in the log device 302 (shown by dashed lines around log entry 302 b). In this case, versions V1, V2, V3, and V8 persist with the log entry 302 a for the D3 pre-write image required to reconstitute V1 through V3. V8 has no subsequent pre-write image required yet.

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation 301″ showing that, alternatively and/or additionally, terminating V5 through V8 allows the log entry 302 b holding W1 to be reclaimed in the log device 302 (shown by dashed lines around log entry 302 b). In this case, versions V1, V2, V3 share the log entry 302 a for the D3 pre-write image to reconstitute V1 through V3. V4 has no subsequent pre-write image required.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show scenario representations according to an embodiment of the system described herein for reclamation of a subject device when multiple tracks are involved to reclaim 50% of the log capacity.

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation 400 according to an embodiment of the system described herein showing an ending state of a scenario in which a write W1 was made to D3 (now data D3′ on source volume) on Track 3 at a time of the version V4 and a write W2 was made to data D2 (now data D2′ on source volume) on Track 2 at a time of version V8. Accordingly, in log device 402, log entry 402 a corresponds to the D3 pre-write image created at the time of version V4 and log entry 402 b corresponds to the D2 pre-write image created at the time of version V8.

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation 400′ according to an embodiment of the system described herein showing reclaiming of 50% log capacity based on the scenario of FIG. 15. In this case, the D3 pre-write image is required by versions V1 through V3, and the D2 pre-write image is required by versions V1 through V7. Accordingly, only terminating V1 through V3 reclaims 50% of the log capacity, namely, the D3 pre-write image log space of entry 402 a in the log device 402 (shown by dashed lines around the entry 402 a). The D2 pre-write image of log entry 402 b is the most persistent being shared by all versions except V8. The example of reclaiming 50% log capacity as a criteria has been discussed; however, it is noted the system described herein may be appropriately used in connection with reclaiming any desired amount or percentage of log capacity.

According to the system described herein, using data collected for the first writes to tracks in a volume group during a planning interval allows estimating the potential maximum capacity for the log pool that is needed for various frequency of version creation.

The system described herein provides that information on pre-write image log persistence or the number of consecutive versions sharing a log entry may also be analyzed. This provides information concerning how removing versions from the VDG effects log pool capacity reclamation. This information may be used for understanding the number of versions that may be removed to achieve a target log pool capacity. Accordingly, oldest versions and versions other than the oldest in a rotation set may be considered for removal.

Additionally, rotation of a set number of versions (the VDG) may be analyzed. First writes in an interval give the net add to log pool capacity consumption. In this case, termination of the oldest version member in the rotation set may give the potential maximum reduction in log consumption. The actual reduction is dependent on the number of versions sharing a particular track pre-write image. When a target log pool size is desired the number of versions to terminate can be analyzed.

In a VDG rotation cycle the oldest member version would be removed prior to adding a new version. The log capacity may need to be the maximum expected concurrent log pre-write image capacity plus a margin for safety. It is noted that demand reclaim from oldest to newest may require the least active analysis. For example, using differential data write monitoring, such as SDDF write monitoring, for each version allows for a log capacity by version metric. However, reclaiming pre-write image log capacity may involve termination of some number of versions to achieve a desired log capacity reduction. As seen, for example, in the scenarios discussed herein, three versions (V1, V2, and V3) may need to be terminated before the single pre-write image log capacity associated with the data D3 can be reclaimed. A worst case would be where many versions with low or no writes are created and during the most recent version having most or all tracks written. An example might be where a DB2 table create and format occurs in generation 100 and the prior 99 versions share the pre-write images of the involved tracks. The 99 prior versions would need to be terminated before the pre-write image log capacity could be reclaimed.

Exempting particular versions from rotation termination makes this problem even more evident. While capacity consuming (equal to the source capacity of the VDG) creating a full copy target and unlinking it after being fully populated would be an operational tradeoff to diminishing impact on log reclamation by holding one or more versions exempt from termination.

In another embodiment, the system described herein may be used in connection with a continuous review of which versions contribute the least to log capacity but share the most images with other versions. Referring, for example, back to FIG. 15, in this case it is noted that versions V1, V2, V5, V6 and V7 could all be terminated without losing any unique version of the source volume data. V3, V4, and V8 are unique versions for this source volume.

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation 500 according to the embodiment of the system described herein shown in FIG. 15 in which versions V1, V2, V5, V6 and V7 have been terminated, but all unique first write pre-write images in each version interval are preserved. Tracks with data D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, W1, and W2 and the versions that consistently relate them in time are available to create usable target sets based on use of the log entries 502 a, 502 b of the log device 502. This can be determined by tracking the first write differential (SDDF) data for each version interval.

According further to the system described herein, it is noted that with a VDG creating short interval snapshot members it is possible that some VDG members will have no first write activity and can be terminated after the next interval VDG is activated. If there is first write activity within the VDG there may be subgroupings in that VDG interval that do not have any first writes for the interval. If a subgroup is identified by the user as logically-related volumes (a particular application, for example) only the snapshots of the volumes in that subgroup may be terminated if there are no first write to that subgroup. This could also apply to single volumes within the VDG that do not have interdependent data with other volumes in the VDG. These determinations may be specified by the user of the VDG control mechanism.

Accordingly, FIGS. 18 and 19 show scenario representations according to an embodiment of the system described herein for reclamation of a subject device when multiple volumes are involved to reclaim log capacity. Specifically, in an embodiment, the system described herein may also be used in connection with application to volumes instead of tracks and may provide for continuously collapsing volume log images.

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation 600 according to an embodiment of the system described herein showing an ending state of a scenario for storage of 5 volumes (Volumes one-five) and for which eight point-in-time versions (V1-V8) thereof have been made. The representation 600 shows a state in which a write W1 was made to D3 (now data D3′) of Volume three at a time of the version V4 and a write W2 was made to data D2 (now data D2′) of Volume two at a time of version V8. Accordingly, in log device 602, log entry 602 a corresponds to the D3 pre-write image created at the time of version V4 and log entry 602 b corresponds to the D2 pre-write image created at the time of version V8.

FIG. 19 is a schematic representation 600′ according to the embodiment of the system described herein shown in FIG. 18 in which versions V1, V2, V5, V6 and V7 have been terminated, but all unique first write pre-write images of the volumes in each version interval are preserved. The capability for reconstruction of a VDG point-in-time when constituent member volumes may have their snapshot terminated is illustrated in the figure. Point in time V1, V2 and V3 can independently be reconstructed using the original data images D1 through D5 of the Volumes one-five and the log entries 602 a, 602 b of the log device 602. V5, V6, and V7 only need the W1 first write from V4. Reconstruction of version V8 needs the Volume three version V4 for W1 and itself for the Volume two W2 first write pre-write image. This figure depicts the minimum (3 versions) needed to reconstruct eight distinct points in time for the illustrated volumes. A first write to any single track on a volume requires the volume snapshot to be preserved.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a system 700 implementing iCDP according to an embodiment of the system described herein. A point-in-time image device 702 may facilitate continuous or near continuous backup of data using snapshots, and/or other appropriate point-in-time images, as further discussed in detail elsewhere herein. The point-in-time image device 702 may contain pointers to a standard logical device 704 for a plurality of tracks storing data. The point-in-time image device 702 may also contain pointers to a log device 706 logging data changes to corresponding tracks, as further discussed in connection with the scenarios discussed elsewhere herein.

The system 700 may also include a I/O module 708 that handles input and output processing in connection with receiving and responding to requests and criteria concerning the providing of efficient data protection operations in accordance with the system described herein. The I/O module 708 may be provided with information from a cycle counter 710 and/or a timer 712, among other possible information sources, that may be used in connection with storage of data among a plurality of storage systems (i.e., for a consistency group and/or VDG). The I/O module 708 may further include, and/or be coupled to, an interface 720 that enables interaction with users and/or hosts in connection with operation of the system described herein.

A point-in-time data analytic analyzer 730 is shown that may be used to automatically/programmatically determine which point-in-image to roll back for one or more data recovery operations according to an embodiment of the system described herein. For example, information, such as host meta structures, may be available to the analyzer 730 to facilitate the scanning and/or identification of logical data corruption or errors. Such host meta structures may include structures of IBM's System z environment, as discussed elsewhere herein, such as logical structures of a volume table of contents (VTOC), VTOC index (VTOCIX), virtual storage access method (VSAM) volume data sets (VVDS), catalogs and/or related structures that are logical in nature and which may be used in connection with the scanning for logical failures rather than physical failures, and may indicate what a user or customer may be looking for in a roll back or recovery scenario. For example, in an IBM mainframe storage architecture, a VTOC provides a data structure that enables the locating of the data sets that reside on a particular disk volume, and the z/OS may use a catalog and the VTOC on each storage system to manage the storage and placement of data sets. In an embodiment, the system described herein may then use these structures to efficiently provide desired roll-back and data protection operations according to the features discussed herein.

It is noted that the I/O module 708, interface 720 and/or analyzer 730 may be separate components functioning like that as discussed elsewhere herein and/or may be part of one control unit 732, which embodiment is shown schematically by dashed lines. Accordingly, the components of the control unit 732 may be used separately and/or collectively for operation of the iCDP system described herein in connection with the creation, maintenance, identification and termination of point-in-time image versions to respond to requests and criteria, like that discussed elsewhere herein, including criteria concerning identification of necessary point-in-time versions to fulfill desired roll back scenarios and criteria involving the efficient use of log capacity to maintain the desired data protection capability.

For operation and management functions, the system described herein may provide for components like that discussed herein that may be used to create a VDG volume group and support sets of selection options, such as Group Name Services (GNS) in connection with data protection operations. The system described herein may further be used to define version interval frequencies and to define the maximum number of member versions in a VDG. Options for when the maximum is reached may include rotation when the oldest version is terminated before the next version is created, stopping with notification, and terminating n number of oldest versions before proceeding, etc. The system may further define target volume set(s) and validate that the type, geometry, and number match the related VDG.

The system described herein provides for automation to manage one or more VDGs. Point-in-time versions may be created based on defined interval criteria on a continuing cycle. VDG version rotation may be provided to remove the versions prior to next VDG version creation. The number of VDG version terminations necessary to achieve a log pool capacity target may be tracked. Host accessible images of selected VDG versions may be created and metadata of the target set may be managed to allow successful host access. Metadata management may include: validation of type and number of target volumes; online/offline volume verification; structure checking of a target volume set; optional volume conditioning; catalog management and dataset renaming; and providing alternate logical partition (LPAR) access.

A target volume set may be created from a selected VDG version and a user may be provided with selected copy and access options. A selected target volume set may be removed and which may include validating a target volume set system status, providing secure data erase of target volume set volumes and/or returning target volume sets to available pools. Specific versions may also be removed and the system supports explicit version termination, as discussed in detail elsewhere herein.

The system described herein may provide for monitoring and reporting functions using components like that discussed elsewhere herein. The status of created versions in a VDG may be monitored. Log pool capacity may be monitored and the system may provide for alerts and actions for log pool capacity targets, log capacity reclaim reports may be generated when versions are removed (i.e. during cycle rotation), and active target volume sets needed to be removed to allow the removal of a version may be identified. The status of an active target volume set, and related VDG versions may be monitored. The status of target volumes sets created outside (unmanaged) of the VDG environment may be monitored. Versions needed to be removed to reclaim some target amount of log pool capacity may be identified, as discussed in detail elsewhere herein.

The system described above is able to roll back stored data to a previous point in time to reduce the impact of data corruption. For example, if it is determined that data has been corrupted at 11:05 am on a particular day, the system may roll back the stored data to 11:00 am on that same day to remove the corrupted data from the system. However, the ability to address data corruption does not necessarily provide a mechanism for detecting data corruption. Note that, if data corruption is undetected for a relatively long period of time, it may not be possible to address the data corruption if an uncorrupted version of the data no longer exists.

Referring to FIG. 21, a flow diagram 800 illustrates processing performed by a storage system (e.g., the storage system 24, discussed above) in connection with detecting and handling possible data corruption. Note that, in some embodiments, it is possible for some or all of the processing illustrated herein to be performed by one or more host device(s) and/or in connection with remote devices and/or with cloud storage/computing, or any combination thereof. Processing begins at a first step 802 where a pointer (or similar) used for iterating through data of the storage system, or a portion thereof, is set to point to the first data unit. In an embodiment herein, data may be examined a block at a time so that each data unit is a single block, but of course other data units may be used including groups of extents, data sets (files), etc. Following the step 802 is a test step 804 where it is determined if the iteration pointer points past the end of the data that is being examined. In an embodiment herein, all of the data of the storage system is examined. However, in some embodiments, it is possible to examine only a portion of data stored on the storage system, such as examining data for only one or a group of logical storage devices.

If it is determined at the test step 804 that that the iteration pointer points past the end of data being examined, then control transfers from the test step 804 back to the step 802, discussed above, to reset the iteration pointer back to the beginning of the data.

Otherwise, control transfers from the test step 804 to a test step 806 where it is determined if the data being examined is corrupted, either due to encryption issues (explained in more detail elsewhere herein) or because the data has experienced any unusual access patterns. One of the ways the system described herein detects possible data corruption by detecting data access patterns that are out of the ordinary. Processing performed at the step 806 is described in more detail elsewhere herein. If it is determined at the test step 806 that the data is corrupted, then control transfers from the test step 806 to a step 808 where remedial action is performed in response to detecting data corruption at the step 806. In an embodiment herein, remedial action performed at the step 808 includes automatically alerting (e.g., by email) one or more operator(s) (administrative personnel, users, etc.) but of course any appropriate remedial action may be performed at the step 808 including, for example, automatically rolling back the stored data to a state just prior to detecting the unusual access. However, it may be generally advantageous to require human intervention prior to rolling back or otherwise changing data. Following the step 808, or following the step 806 if no data corruption is detected, is a step 812 where the pointer used for iterating through the data is incremented. Following the step 812, control transfers back to the test step 804 for another iteration.

In an embodiment herein, the system may detect unusual access patterns by first determining values that reflect data access for new data added to the system. Following this, the system may determine that access is unusual (and requires remedial action) whenever subsequent accesses exceed a threshold set according to the initial values. For example, following providing new data to the storage system, the system determines that the data is accessed, on average, X times per minute. The system may subsequently set a threshold of 1.5 times X per minute and then deem access of the new data that exceeds the threshold as unusual. Of course, 1.5 times the average access is just one example and thresholds may be set based on average accesses using any appropriate multiplier, which may be set based on an empirical tradeoff between false positives and false negatives.

Referring to FIG. 22, a flow diagram 850 illustrates processing performed by the storage system in connection with collecting initial values and setting thresholds used to detect unusual access patterns in the system described herein. In some embodiments, collecting initial values and setting thresholds may occur just one time (e.g., first week or first two weeks) after new data is provided to the storage system. In other embodiments, initial values are collected and thresholds are set continuously so long as the data remains on the storage system. In some cases, it may be possible to use weighted averages that give greater weight to more recent data.

Processing begins at a first step 852 where an average of a number of data accesses is obtained. In some cases, the average is simply the total number of accesses for the life of the data divided by the amount of time that the data has been stored on the storage system. In other instances, the average may be weighted so that more recent data accesses are provided with greater weight. Note also that it is possible to track accesses generally (i.e., both reads and writes) or to track read accesses separately from write accesses. Following the step 852 is a step 854 where a level threshold is set based on the average obtained at the step 852. In an embodiment herein, the threshold may be set at the step 854 by multiplying the average by a constant (usually greater than one), but of course, any appropriate mechanism may be used to set the level threshold at the step 854.

Following the test step 854 is a test step 856 where it is determined if any cyclic data access is detected. Note that some data may be accessed cyclically. For example, data used to produce a weekly payroll may be accessed every Monday evening, but may be relatively untouched at other times. In such a case, the average value for accesses of the data would probably be well over the access rate of the data for any time other than Monday evening but would probably be lower than a peak access rate every Monday evening. If only the average access rate were used to set a single threshold, it is possible that the system would not detect unusually high access patterns at times other than Monday evening and would possibly incorrectly detect unusually high access rates every Monday evening. To address this, the system may separately detect and account for cyclic data access patterns. The processing at the step 856 may use any appropriate technique to detect cyclic data access patterns, such as conventional mechanisms that perform an FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) to analyze the data in the frequency domain. Note that it is possible for there to be more than one cyclic data access pattern. For example, the same data that is accessed monthly for payroll processing may also be accessed quarterly to provide government tax reports.

If it is determined at the step 856 that no cyclic data has been detected, then processing is complete. Otherwise, control passes from the test step 856 to a step 858 where an average of the cyclic data access rates is determined. That is, given that the data is determined to be cyclic, processing at the step 858 determines an average of the data at peaks of the cycle (e.g., every Monday evening in the previous example). Just as with the average obtained at the step 852, it is possible to weight the values by, for example, giving greater weight to more recent cycles. Following the step 858 is a step 862 where a cyclic threshold is set based on the cyclic average determined at the step 858. Just as with the level threshold, discussed above in connection with the step 854, the cyclic threshold may be set at the step 862 by multiplying the cyclic average by a constant (usually greater than one). Of course, any appropriate mechanism may be used to set the cyclic threshold at the step 862.

Following the step 862 is a step 864 where the level threshold (set at the step 854) is adjusted to remove any influence from the cyclic data. Note that, as discussed elsewhere herein, an average of all data accesses that includes cyclic data could be significantly higher than an average of all data accesses that do not include cyclic data. For instance, in the payroll example, averaging in the cyclic data accesses could make a value for the average accesses too high to be able to set an appropriate threshold for accessing the data any time other than Monday evening. In such a case, it is desirable to remove the influence of the peak data accesses during the cycle. At the step 864, the data accesses and time corresponding to the cycle are removed from calculation of the level average and the level threshold. For instance, in the case of the payroll example, the level average, and thus the level threshold, may be set by not taking into account data from Monday evenings. Accordingly, at the step 864, the level threshold is adjusted by removing portions of the calculation that include cyclic data. Following the step 864, processing is complete.

Referring to FIG. 23, a flow diagram 900 illustrates in more detail processing performed in connection with the step 806, discussed above, where the system detects if the data has been corrupted. Processing begins at a first step 902 where it is determined if cyclic data accesses have been detected. As discussed elsewhere herein, data accesses may be cyclic (periodic bursts of data access activity) and detecting cyclic data may include any appropriate mechanism for that, including conventional mechanisms that transform the data from the time domain to the frequency domain. Note also that, if cyclic data is present, then at least part of the detection process may include comparing the current time with a time where a cyclic burst is expected. For example, if certain data that is used to determine weekly payroll experiences a burst of access activity every Monday evening between 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm, then at least part of the detection at the step 902 may include determining if the current time is Monday evening between 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm.

If it is determined at the test step 902 that cyclic data is present, then control transfers from the test step 902 to a test step 904 where it is determined if the data accesses per unit time exceed a threshold for cyclic data accesses. In an embodiment herein, the cyclic threshold may be a single value that is exceeded or not. In other embodiments, the determination may include additional processing (e.g., amount exceeded, exceeded for a predetermined amount of time, trending in one direction or another, exceeded N out of M times, etc.). If it is determined at the test step 904 that the cyclic threshold has been exceeded, then control transfers from the test step 904 to a step 906 where an indication that the data is corrupted is provided. Following the step 906, processing is complete.

If it is determined at the step 904 that the cyclic threshold has not been exceeded, or if it has been determined at the test step 902 that no cyclic data is present, then processing proceeds to a test step 908 where it is determined if accesses of the non-cyclic data has exceeded the level threshold (discussed elsewhere herein). Just as with the cyclic threshold, the level threshold may be a single value that is exceeded or not or the determination at the step 908 may include additional processing (e.g., amount exceeded, exceeded for a predetermined amount of time, trending in one direction or another, exceeded N out of M times, etc.). If it is determined at the test step 908 that accesses for the data has exceeded the level threshold, then processing transfers from the test step 908 to the step 906, discussed above, where an indication that the data is corrupted is provided. Otherwise, control transfers from the test step 908 to a test step 912 where the system determines if the data being examined contains an encryption anomaly. Detection of an encryption anomaly is described in more detail elsewhere herein. If it is determined at the test step 912 that an encryption anomaly is detected, then processing transfers from the test step 912 to the step 906, discussed above, where an indication that the data is corrupted is provided. Otherwise, processing is complete.

In some embodiments, the test at the step 806 only checks for encryption anomalies. That is, unusual data accesses are not monitored and at the step 806 so that the data is determined to be corrupted only if an encryption anomaly is detected. This is illustrated by an alternative path 914 in FIG. 23 that provides that processing begins at the test step 912, described above.

Note that, in some embodiments, the processing illustrated by the flow diagram 900 may be performed only for read accesses, only for write accesses, or for both read and write accesses together. Note that it is also possible to perform separate passes for the processing illustrated by the flow diagram 900 so that, for example, the system performs a first pass for read accesses, a second pass for write accesses, etc. In the case of multiple passes, it is possible to indicate that a threshold has been exceeded for any of the passes separately from any other ones of the passes. For example, for separate read access and write access passes, the system may indicate that a threshold has been exceeded if only a read threshold has been exceeded. As discussed elsewhere herein, the system alerts operator(s) when data corruption has been detected so that the operator(s) may investigate further.

The system may use any appropriate mechanism to keep track of data accesses, including well-known mechanisms such as the SDDF mechanism that is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,753,663 to LeCrone, et al., which is incorporated by reference herein. Each access (read, write, or either) of a data unit (block, extent, file, etc.) causes a flag to be set while a process that is separate from the process that sets the flag periodically checks the state of the flag and, if the flag is set, increments a counter and resets the flag. This is described in more detail elsewhere herein.

Referring to FIG. 24, a flow diagram 920 illustrates processing performed in connection with a process that checks and resets a flag that is set each time a particular data unit is accessed. Processing begins at a first test step 922 where it is determined if the flag is set. If not, control transfers back to the step 922 to continue polling. Otherwise, if the flag is set, then control transfers from the test step 922 to a step 924 where a counter that keeps track of the number of accesses is incremented. Following the step 924 is a step 926 where the flag is cleared. Following the step 926, control transfers back to the step 922, discussed above, for another iteration. As discussed elsewhere herein, the system may monitor read accesses only, write accesses only, and/or both read and write accesses. Accordingly, processing illustrated by the flow diagram 920 may be used for any type of access or combination of accesses.

Referring to FIG. 25, a flow diagram 940 illustrates processing performed in connection with determining a number of accesses per unit time using the counter that is accessed in connection with the processing illustrated in connection with the flow diagram 920, discussed above. Processing begins at a first step 942 where the system waits a pre-determined amount of time. In an embodiment herein, the wait at the step is one second, although a different amount of time may be used. Following the step 942 is a step 944 where the value of the counter is determined/read. Note that, generally, if the counter is read every second, then the value of the counter (or difference in value from the previous iteration) corresponds to the number of accesses per second. Following the step 944 is a step 946 where the counter is reset (e.g., to zero) for a subsequent interval. Following the step 946, control transfers back to the step 942, discussed above, for a new iteration.

In some instances, it may not be useful to reset the counter at the step 946. For example, if multiple asynchronous processes access the counter, then having one of the processes alter the counter may adversely affect the other processes. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the counter is not modified, only read, so that, for any iteration, the number of accesses is a difference between a current value of the counter and a value at a previous iteration. Such a system is illustrated by an alternative path 948 where the step 942 follows the step 944 and the step 946 is not performed so that the counter is not reset.

In some embodiments, the storage system may present each host with one or more logical devices that the host accesses by exchanging data, commands, and status information with the storage system. The physical location of data may change without modifying the logical device presented to the host. Modifying physical locations of data may be performed for any number of reasons, such as data tiering, compression, access efficiency, etc. The system described herein generally maintains and monitors logical data units so that, for example, if a logical block is moved between a first physical storage location and a second physical storage location, the system maintains the same data access information about the logical block irrespective of the underlying physical storage location.

In some instances, different portions (locations) of the data may have different sensitivity thresholds so that, for example, the system may use a significantly lower read access threshold for data corresponding to security information or credit cards. In addition, the system may detect different types of data manipulation, such as deletion, encryption, compression, etc. and, in some cases, there may be different thresholds set for these. For example, there may be particular data that is never expected to be encrypted, in which case the system may have a threshold of one for detecting encryption and may indicate that a threshold has been exceeded whenever it detects that the particular data has been encrypted. Note that unexpected data manipulation may be a sign that the data is being corrupted, either intentionally or accidently. For example, data in a storage system may be encrypted by a malicious actor that hopes to charge the data owner for the keys needed to decrypt the data.

Referring to FIG. 26, a flow diagram 960 illustrates processing performed in connection with detecting manipulation of data. Processing begins at a first step 962 where it is determined if data deletion been detected. As discussed elsewhere herein, it is possible to have data that should not be deleted (e.g., log data, compliance information, etc.). The system may have metadata indicating that particular data should not be deleted so that if any deletions do occur, an operator is alerted. If it is determined at the test step 962 that particular data has been deleted and that deletions for the particular data are being monitored, then control transfers from the test step 962 to a step 964 where an indication is provided that the data has been manipulated. The indication at the step 964 is similar to the data corruption indications provided when a threshold is exceeded or an encryption anomaly is detected. The indication at the step 964 facilitates alerting an operator, as described elsewhere herein. Following the step 964, processing is complete.

If it is determined at the test step 962 that that the particular data being reviewed is being examined for deletions and the data has been deleted, then control transfers from the test step 962 to a step 964 where an indication that the data has been improperly manipulated is provided. Following the step 964, processing is complete. If it is determined at the test step 962 that that the particular data being reviewed is not being examined for deletions or the data has not been deleted, then control transfers from the test step 962 to a test step 968 where it is determined if the particular data being reviewed is being examined for being compressed and the data has been compressed. If not, then processing is complete. Otherwise, control transfers from the test step 968 to the step 964, discussed above, where the indication that the data has been improperly manipulated is provided. Following the step 964, processing is complete.

Referring to FIG.27, a flow diagram 1000 illustrates in more detail the step 912, discussed above, where the system detects encryption anomalies. Processing begins at a first step 1002 where entropy of the data being examined is determined. Entropy of data is an indication of the randomness of the data. It is known in the art that data that is encrypted is more random than data that is not encrypted. It is possible to determine a probability that data is encrypted based on a measure of the entropy. In some cases, the entropy of data may vary based on the inherent nature of the data. For example, ASCII text tends to exhibit very little entropy. Following the step 1002 is a test step 1004 where it is determined if the detected entropy is less than a predetermined threshold. The threshold at the step 1004 may be set based on previous empirical observations for the data and/or data of a similar type (i.e., prior data accesses) and may be determined using, for example, machine learning. If the entropy is less than the threshold at the step 1004, the data is deemed unencrypted. Otherwise, the data is deemed encrypted.

If it is determined at the test step 1004 that the entropy of the data is less than the threshold (data is not encrypted), then control transfers from the test step 1004 to a test step 1006 where it is determined if an encrypt flag for the data is set where the encrypt flag indicated whether the data is supposed to be encrypted. Note that the encrypt flag may be initially set by a user of the system to indicate a desire to encrypt particular data or not. The encryption flag may be a file system attribute. If it is determined at the test step that the encrypt flag is not set, then processing is complete. The data is not encrypted (based on the test at the step 1004) and the data is not supposed to be encrypted (based on the test at the step 1006). Alternatively, if it is determined at the test step 1006 that the encrypt flag is set, indicating that the data is supposed to be encrypted, then control transfers from the test step 1006 to a step 1008 where an encryption anomaly is indicated because the data is not encrypted even though the data is supposed to be encrypted. Following the step 1008, processing is complete.

If it is determined at the test step 1004 that the entropy of the data is not less than a predetermined threshold (indicating that the data is encrypted), then control transfers from the test step 1004 to a test step 1012 where it is determined if an encryption flag is set for the data indicating that the data is supposed to be encrypted. If so, then processing is complete. The data is encrypted (based on the test at the step 1004) and the data is supposed to be encrypted (based on the test at the step 1012). Otherwise, control transfers from the step 1012 to the step 1008, discussed above, where an encryption anomaly is indicated. Following the step 1008, processing is complete. Note that, in some cases, data being encrypted when it is not supposed to be encrypted is an indication that a malicious actor is causing the encryption in order to extort the data owner for so-called “ransomware” where the data owner needs to pay the malicious actor to receive the decryption key that makes the data usable again to the data owner.

Essentially, the processing illustrated by the flow diagram compares a detected encryption state of data with a flag indicating the desired/expected encryption state and, if there is no match, determines that there is an encryption anomaly. In an embodiment herein, the determination at the step 1002 and the test at the step 1004 may be replaced by checking a digital signature (or similar) of the data. In an embodiment herein, whenever data is modified, a trusted entity digitally signs the data using, for example, a private key known only to the trusted entity. Subsequently, an accessing entity may determine if the data has been improperly modified by verifying the digital signature using a known and trusted public key that is part of a private/public key pair with the private key being the private key of the trusted entity. Of course, such a scheme assumes that the trusted entity is not compromised.

Note that it is possible to employ machine learning to determine an entropy threshold used at the step 1004. In such a case, the machine learning system would be initially trained using identified samples of encrypted and unencrypted data. The machine learning system could then set a threshold based on the initial training. It may also be possible to continue the training during run time where the machine learning system would reinforce and supplement the training with actual data used by the system while the system is operating.

Referring to FIG. 28, a flow diagram 1030 illustrates processing performed in connection with accessing data at the storage system. Accesses can include any read or write operation, data replication, transferring data from one storage system to another, etc. Processing begins at a first step 1032 where accessing the data is started (but not completed). Note that the processing illustrated by the flow diagram 1030 may be performed by a process that intercepts data access operations at the driver level or similar. Following the step 1032 is a test step 1034 where it is determined if the data is possibly corrupted. The processing at the step 1034 is similar to the processing at the step 806, described above. If it is determined at the test step 1034 that the data being accessed is not corrupted, then control transfers from the test step 1034 to a step 1036 where the access operation is continued in a conventional fashion. Following the step 1036, processing is complete.

If it is determined at the test step 1034 that the data being accessed is corrupted, then control transfers from the test step 1034 to a step 1038 where remedial action is performed. Processing at the step 1038 is similar to processing at the step 808, described above, which includes, for example, automatically alerting (e.g., by email) one or more operator(s) (administrative personnel, users, etc.). Following the step 1038, processing is complete. Note that, since the data access operation was not allowed to complete after executing the step 1038, an I/O operation corresponding to the access fails. For example, if access corresponds to a read operation, the processing illustrated by the flow diagram 1030 causes the read operation to fail if the data is detected as being corrupt. In an embodiment herein, it is possible to suspend all I/O operations for any data that is determined to be corrupt. It may also be possible to suspend making additional backup snapshots of the data if the data is detected as being corrupted.

The system described herein may be used in connection with one or more products provided by Dell EMC of Hopkinton Mass., including the ZDP product and/or the SnapVX product (possibly including the change track report provided by the SnapVx product). The system may be implemented using any appropriate mechanism that detects unusual access patterns or data manipulation cause by changes in the way data is being used/accessed. Although the system described herein has been discussed in connection with the use of tracks as a unit of data for certain purposes, it should be understood that the system described herein may be used with any appropriate units or structures of data, such as tracks, and further including, possibly, variable length units of data. It is also noted that one or more storage systems having components as described herein may, alone or in combination with other devices, provide an appropriate platform that executes any of the steps described herein. The system may operate with any snapshot mechanism not inconsistent therewith and further with any appropriate point-in-time image mechanism.

Various embodiments discussed herein may be combined with each other in appropriate combinations in connection with the system described herein. Additionally, in some instances, the order of steps in the flow diagrams, flowcharts and/or described flow processing may be modified, where appropriate. Further, various aspects of the system described herein may be implemented using software, hardware, a combination of software and hardware and/or other computer-implemented modules or devices having the described features and performing the described functions. The system may further include a display and/or other computer components for providing a suitable interface with a user and/or with other computers.

Software implementations of the system described herein may include executable code that is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executed by one or more processors. The computer-readable medium may include volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory, and may include, for example, a computer hard drive, ROM, RAM, flash memory, portable computer storage media such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, an SD card, a flash drive or other drive with, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and/or any other appropriate tangible or non-transitory computer-readable medium or computer memory on which executable code may be stored and executed by a processor. The system described herein may be used in connection with any appropriate operating system.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of detecting data corruption in a storage system, comprising: examining portions of the data for encryption anomalies; and providing an indication in response to detecting an encryption anomaly.
 2. A method, according to claim 1, wherein the encryption anomalies are based on entropy of the data.
 3. A method, according to claim 2, wherein the entropy of the data varies based on an inherent nature of the data.
 4. A method, according to claim 2, wherein one of the portions of data is deemed to be encrypted in response to an entropy value exceeding a predetermined threshold.
 5. A method, according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined threshold is based on prior data accesses.
 6. A method, according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined threshold is determined using machine learning.
 7. A method, according to claim 1, wherein portions of the data are examined for encryption anomalies during data accesses.
 8. A method, according to claim 7, wherein data accesses are suspended in response to detecting an encryption anomaly.
 9. A method, according to claim 1, wherein encryption anomalies include at least one of: data that is flagged to be encrypted not being detected as being encrypted and data that is flagged to not be encrypted being detected as being encrypted.
 10. A method, according to claim 1, wherein the encryption anomalies are based on a digital signature of the data.
 11. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing software that detects data corruption in a storage system, comprising: executable code that examines portions of the data for encryption anomalies; and executable code that provides an indication in response to detecting an encryption anomaly.
 12. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 11, wherein the encryption anomalies are based on entropy of the data.
 13. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 12, wherein the entropy of the data varies based on an inherent nature of the data.
 14. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 12, wherein one of the portions of data is deemed to be encrypted in response to an entropy value exceeding a predetermined threshold.
 15. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined threshold is based on prior data accesses.
 16. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined threshold is determined using machine learning.
 17. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 11, wherein portions of the data are examined for encryption anomalies during data accesses.
 18. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 17, wherein data accesses are suspended in response to detecting an encryption anomaly.
 19. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 11, wherein encryption anomalies include at least one of: data that is flagged to be encrypted not being detected as being encrypted and data that is flagged to not be encrypted being detected as being encrypted.
 20. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 11, wherein the encryption anomalies are based on a digital signature of the data. 